Ronnie McBrayer

”Floating...Obedient to the Stream”

"Floating...Obedient to the Stream," is line from an early play of William Shakespeare - and it is a prescriptive way to live - as instructed by Jesus in the Gospel of John. He teaches us to "go with the flow" of the living water already within us.

Pay Attention: A Tribute to Frederick Buechner

Ronnie shares words from the late Frederick Buechner who passed way in August of 2022, at the age of 96 years young. 

The Grapes of Wrath

"Dylan. Ward Howe. Steinbeck. They all find their message and metaphor in the ancient Jewish prophets. It is a consistent message, retold a thousand times and in a thousand different ways and places, with each telling ringing as true as the last: Perpetual, systematic injustice and unfairness always ends with destruction. We can be certain that when we champion greed over fairness and equality; when we take the side of power and the powerful and fail to protect the vulnerable and the least of these; when we reward dishonesty and mock integrity; when we would rather destroy what is good and what would help others than to cultivate it and share it, we are trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored."

That Great Speckled Bird

What do Charles Darwin, Jeff Miller, Guy Smith, and Roy Acuff have in common? You will have to listen to Ronnie's latest talk to find out! 
This talk was delivered on the 15th Anniversary of the first meeting of A Simple Faith. 

Make The World Go Away

"The easiest path to take in regard to our world is to simply curse the darkness. It is to 'rage, rage against the dying of the light.' We would make the world go away by damning it all to hell on the one hand - or by force - attempting to shape it into our image on the other. But the only way to make the world as we know it to go away is by changing it; and the only way to change it is by loving service in the small ways each of us have been gifted." - Ronnie

Where the Lonely Go

Put your phone down. Step away from the screen. Turn down the noise.
Because your technology is making you stupid. 
It's also killing your spirit.
Here is a talk by Ronnie sure to give you something to think about, and hopefully you will do exactly that. Listen, then sit; think; be still. 

Getting There from Here, Part 2

"You can't get there from here!" It's a common expression, not only accurate about travel, but also life. In this episode Ronnie talks about finding a way forward - by means of trusting a sure guide - instead of stubbornly trusting one's self. Based on Proverbs 3, Part 2 of 2.

Getting There from Here, Part 1

"You can't get there from here!" It's a common expression, not only accurate about travel, but also life. In this episode Ronnie talks about finding a way forward - by means of trusting a sure guide - instead of stubbornly trusting one's self. Based on Psalm 32, Part 1 of 2.

Christian Savages...Savage Christians

Ronnie delivered this recent talk at A Simple Faith, a "re-run" of a story he has told many times - but this is the first time it has been captured on audio for further distribution. It is the tale of Roger Williams, America's earliest champion of religious liberty. His experience, convictions, and life form a story more timely than ever. From the talk: "If you think that government should enforce 'proper' religion or be employed to 'protect God,' let me simply ask this question: Which religion and whose God? Because there is no better opportunity to oppress, persecute, or abuse than when it is done in the name of religion or in the name of God." 

Going Home

Do you love someone who struggles with mental illness...addiction? Ronnie addresses both of these In this episode, and speaks of "going home" as returning to the true God-given, Christ-seen self. This talk just might be for you.